Halloween Pet Costume: Black Bat

Felt, pipe cleaners and a bit of Velcro are all you need to dress your furry friend as a winged bat for Halloween. This costume is not only easy to craft it's also lightweight so it's comfortable for your dog or cat.

Bat Costume for Pets

Your pet takes flight for Halloween with this clever bat wing costume. Felt, pipe cleaners and a bit of Velcro are all you need to dress your furry friend as a winged bat for Halloween. This costume is not only easy to craft it's also lightweight so it's comfortable for your dog or cat.

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Materials Needed

Print Templates and Transfer to Felt

Print two copies of both the right wing and left wing templates. Lay one of each side templates together on a flat work surface to create a wing shape and tape them together at the center. Repeat for the other two templates (Image 1). Pin the templates to black felt and cut out (Image 2). You should have two sets of felt wings, set one aside for now.

Print Templates and Transfer to Felt - Bat Costume for Pets

Print two copies of both the right wing and left wing templates. Lay one of each side templates together on a flat work surface to create a wing shape and tape them together at the center. Repeat for the other two templates.

Print Templates and Transfer to Felt - Bat Costume for Pets

Add a Strap

On one set of wings, use the lines near the center of the template to cut two 2" lines with a craft knife and ruler (Image 1). Using a fabric tape measure, measure around your pet’s chest behind their front legs. Next, cut a strip of black felt 1-1/2" wide and 2" longer than the measurement of your pet's chest. Lay the wings with the cut slits on a flat surface and spray with adhesive (Image 2). Feed the long strip through the back of one cut, over the top of the sprayed wings and through the other cut with about half of the long strip on each side of the wings. Press the strip against the adhesive (Image 3).

Add a Strap - Bat Costume for Pets

On one set of wings, use the lines near the center of the template to cut two 2" lines with a craft knife and ruler.

Add a Strap - Bat Costume for Pets

Using a fabric tape measure, measure around your pet’s chest behind their front legs. Next, cut a strip of black felt 1-1/2" wide and 2" longer than the measurement of your pet's chest. Lay the wings with the cut slits on a flat surface and spray with adhesive.

Add a Strap - Bat Costume for Pets

Feed the long strip through the back of one cut, over the top of the sprayed wings and through the other cut with about half of the long strip on each side of the wings. Press the strip against the adhesive.

Give Wings Flexibility

Twist the ends of two pipe cleaners together to create one long pipe cleaner. Bend it to follow the top shape of the felt wings and cut off any excess. Position this longer pipe cleaner about 1/4" in from the top edge and press into the adhesive to secure it (Image 1). Cut small pieces of pipe cleaner to radiate out from the top to the bottom webbed points of the wings. Push these against the adhesive (Image 2).

Give Wings Flexibility - Bat Costume for Pets

Twist the ends of two pipe cleaners together to create one long pipe cleaner. Bend it to follow the top shape of the felt wings and cut off any excess. Position this longer pipe cleaner about 1/4" in from the top edge and press into the adhesive to secure it.

Bat Costume for Pets

Create Neck Harness

Measure around your pet's neck and add 2" to the measurement. If necessary, twist two pipe cleaners together to create one that matches the neck measurement. Fold pipe cleaner in half and position it at the center top of the wings with the two ends extending out from just outside of the cut lines.

Create Neck Harness - Bat Costume for Pets

Measure around your pet's neck and add 2" to the measurement. If necessary, twist two pipe cleaners together to create one that matches the neck measurement. Fold pipe cleaner in half and position it at the center top of the wings with the two ends extending out from just outside of the cut lines.

Cover Pipe Cleaner Armature

Coat the second set of wings with spray adhesive. Position over the first set, carefully lining up the wings' shapes and place the two pieces of felt together (Image 1). Press the wings together, being sure to really press the felt together around each pipe cleaner (Image 2).

Cover Pipe Cleaner Armature - Bat Costume for Pets

Coat the second set of wings with spray adhesive. Position over the first set, carefully lining up the wings' shapes and place the two pieces of felt together.

Cover Pipe Cleaner Armature - Bat Costume for Pets

Add Velcro

Temporarily place the wings on your pet's back, wrap the strap around their chest and note how much hook-and-loop tape you'll need for the two ends to attach securely. Add hook-and-loop tape, stitching it in place.

Add Velcro - Bat Costume for Pets

Temporarily place the wings on your pet's back, wrap the strap around their chest and note how much hook-and-loop tape you'll need for the two ends to attach securely. Add hook-and-loop tape, stitching it in place.

Dress Your Pet

Place the finished bat wings on your pet's back, securing them with the chest strap and by wrapping the extended pipe cleaners loosely around your pet's neck and twisting the ends together. Bend the wings up so they're more visible.

Dress Your Pet - Bat Costume for Pets

Place the finished bat wings on your pet's back, securing them with the chest strap and by wrapping the extended pipe cleaners loosely around your pet's neck and twisting the ends together. Bend the wings up so they're more visible.

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